PACs dump another $1.2 million into Maine governor’s race

Wondering how to blow $1.2 million in two days? Try a whole lot of TV ads.

At least, that’s how seven political action committees spent their $1.2 million over the last two days, according to the latest filings with the Maine Ethics Commission.

Most of that spending — about $852,000 — went to benefit the campaign of Democrat Mike Michaud, who is locked in a dead heat against incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage, according to a BDN/Ipsos poll released today.

The spending above — filed on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 — puts home a point that I’ve mentioned almost too many times now: the cash is only going to start flowing faster the closer we get to Election Day.

The same trends we’ve noted before continue here: a group of different PACs is spending to support Michaud (and oppose LePage) and LePage’s outside help comes only from the Republican Governors Association, in the form of supportive TV ads.

Groups hoping Michaud becomes the next governor have sought to nix goodwill toward LePage, spending more heavily on TV ads to oppose him than to support Michaud.

(Click any PAC or spending type in the ad above to see for yourself how the spending breaks down.)

It’s also noteworthy that the Campaign for Maine — supporting independent Eliot Cutler — joined in the spending push in an area that is dear to my heart, but uncommon for outside spending so far: print advertisements.

About Darren Fishell

Darren is a Portland-based reporter for the Bangor Daily News writing about the Maine economy and business. He's interested in putting economic data in context and finding the stories behind the numbers.
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